Hoisting sling



oct. 24, 1933. P, F. MUELLER 1,931,931

HOISTING SLING Filed Dec. 8, 1932 Paten-ted Oct.r24, 1933 'A GFFIE 1,931,931 HoIsmNG sLING Paul Frederick Mueller, Ocean Park, Va., as-

signor-to H. C, Parrish, Howard P. Page, Aand Willard T. Hodge, as receivers for Richmond Cedar Works, Richmond,` Va.

Application December 8, l193.2. Serial No. 646,339

3 Claims.

This invention relates to hoisting apparatus and has for its object the provision of an improved device for handling and transporting packages which involve such weights as would 5' not make it practical to be moved by manual labor and the nature of which is such that a firm grip on the part of the device on same is essential for keeping the shape of the package intact during transportation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device as above outlined, the construction of which is rugged and in which such moving parts which are not manually actuated by the operator `are compactly arranged and positioned so as to 15 allow the operator ample unobstructed space,

thereby minimizing the handicap usually prevalent where an operator must work within close proximity of moving parts as well as the danger of injury usually associating itself with such working conditions.

The construction of my device is such that it lends itself nicely for use as a sling or cradle for handling piles of lumber, and a device of this character is illustrated in my drawing. In this drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of my apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to the drawing annexed, by reference characters, 5 designates a rectangular metal frame, desirably formed of channelr iron, this frame being desirably braced at each corner by a triangular plate 6 and also by a pair of tubur lar rods 7, one arranged near each end of the a standard 8 which is rigidly fastened, by brazing, riveting, or otherwise, at its lower end to the corner of the frame, and which at its upper end is provided with a hand-hole slot 9 and a v4.0 Chain locking slot 1o.

i tube 7, these tubes 13 being elongated to pro-v vide broad bearings for theY levers. Pivotally hung on each pair of arms 11 is a transverse angle-bar 14, and attached to the arm 12 of each bell-crank lever is a chain 15. All four chains are adapted to be engaged with the usual crane '55v hook 16.

frame. Rising from each corner of the frame isv Adjustably engaged in each chain slot 10 is a chain 17 whose lower end is attached to a stirrup-rod 18 whose lower end is provided with a l l stirrup 19 adapted to engage over the end of a beam. 20 on which the lumberpis piled. Each stirrup is provided with va spring actuated pin 21 positioned to bear resilientlydown on the top surface of the beam 20 to vhold the stirrup in position on the beam 20 while the operator is making the necessary adjustments preparatory to lifting the lumber pile.

'In operation, the crane (not shown) is operated in such manner as to lower the frame 5 down near to or upon the top surface of the lumber pile, with the stirrup-rods hanging down loosely at the sides of the lumber pile. It is desirable to lower the frame 5 until the transverse clamp bars 14 are resting on the top boards of the lumber pile. Then an attendant, on the ground, adjusts the stirrups over the projecting ends of the beams 20, the spring pressed rods 21 serving to hold the stirrups in position after they have been thus adjusted. Another attendant, standing on the frame v5, or on a platform (not shown) aflixed'thereto, adjusts the chain 17 in the slots 10 to take up the slack of the chains.

Thel sling is then ready to bevelevated by the crane.

When the sling is elevated through the medium of the four chains 15, the bell-cranks are turned on their pivots so as to force the bars 14 into clamping relation with the lumber pile, thus rmly clamping` the lumber pile between these bars 14 and the under beams 20, the weight of the lumber pile being utilized `to bring about this clamping action. The pile of lumber may then be moved about from place to place by means of the crane Without fear of dislodging any of the boards in the pile. It is desirable that a platform be mounted upon the frame 5 to enable the attendant standing thereon to move about freely and without injury by any of the working parts; and to enable this attendant to poise himself upon the platform, the hand-'holes 9 are provided at the upper ends of the standards 8.v To limit the upward swing of the arms 12 of the bell cranks, when the sling is being moved about without a load, I provide each tube 13 with a radial lug 22 which, at a predetermined upward swing rof said arm 12,1abuts against stationary lug 23 on the `adjacent side bar of the frame 5.

I claim: 1. In a hoisting sling of the type set forth, a frame, ltwo pairs of levers pivotally mounted on the frame and each having two arms, one pair at rot each end thereof, a clamping bar connecting companion arms of each pair of levers, a hoisting chain connected to the other arm of each lever, a stirrup member depending from each corner of said frame and carrying at its lower end a stirrup and having means at its upper end for adjustably connecting it to said frame to enable the stirrup members to be adjusted vertically to accommodate packages of different thickness or height.

2. A hoisting sling or cradle embodying an elongated frame, two rods mounted in the side bars of the frame, one near each end thereof, a standard rising from each corner of the frame and provided at its upper end with a chain engaging slot, a pair of bell-crank levers pivotally mounted on each rod and each having an arm extending downwardly and outwardly and another arm extending downwardly and inwardly, hoisting chains connected to the arms extending downwardly and inwardly, a clamping bar pivotally mounted on the ends of the arms extending downwardly and outwardly, a stirrup-rod at each corner of the frame having a stirrup at its lower end and a chain at its upper end, said chain being adapted to be adjustably engaged in theaforesaid chain slots to take up the slack in the chain pre# paratory to lifting the load.

3. The structure recited in claim 2, cooperative stop devices being provided between the levers and the frame to restrict the pivotal movement of the bell-cranks while the sling is unloaded.

PAUL FREDERICK MUELLER.

y no 

